Cardiff votes 'yes' in Welsh referendum

The referendum count took place at the Senedd today Photograph: Hannah Waldram/guardian.co.uk

Voters in Cardiff have said 'yes' to strengthened powers for the Welsh Assembly – with a 61% vote in favour of a streamlined law-making process.

The city has changed its mind from the 1997 referendum which saw a 55.6% vote against devolution. Today there were 33,606 'no' votes in the 2011 referendum – won over by a majority of 53,427 'yes' votes.

Cardiff was the last result to come in – with a heavy throng of yes supporters in the Senedd waiting with excitement. Campaigners cheered when the result was announced at the National Assembly's home in Cardiff Bay – with the national results announced at 517,132 'yes' votes, and 297,380 'no' votes.

Speaking after the results came in, 'yes for Wales' campaigner and Butetown resident Ali Yassine said he was proud of the vote from his capital city and hoped the increase of powers for the Welsh Assembly would result in more benefits for Cardiff He said:

"I'm just so proud, as a Cardiff boy, that Cardiff has flown the flag for Wales and come in with a resounding 'yes'.

"I hope this is the start of a new journey for Wales and it will make sure that more people in Wales are engaged in the political process.

"People in Cardiff can see what the Assembly has brought to the city – we have had such an incredible amount of investment here and it's attracted people from all over the world.

"This will encourage even more investment and the talented people in Wales to stay here – because we have seen a brain drain out of Wales because we have a lack of opportunities – but more powers to the Assembly will change that."

The four party leaders in Cardiff Bay with yes campaign chair Roger Lewis ahead of the announcement Photograph: Hannah Waldram/guardian.co.uk

The overall national turnout was much lower than the 1997 referendum at 35.2% – and 'no' campaigners said they were worried about a "fragmentation of the UK" following the vote and an "obsession with law making" from Welsh politicians.

Rachel Banner from True Wales said:

"We are disappointed and we are also concerned that there are certain things that will now go through without a referendum.

"This has become inevitable that there will be a separate legal jurisdiction for Wales and that was all brushed under the carpet.

"During the referendum campaign there was a silence about crime and policing and we are worried about a break up of the UK.

"We hope there won't be an obsession with law making."

Jenny Willott, Liberal Democrat MP for Cardiff Central said:

"This is excellent news for the people of Cardiff and the whole of Wales. As a Lib Dem I believe that decisions are best made as close to the people as possible.

"This vote will make it easier for the Assembly to improve people's day to day lives and whatever your political views that is a positive change."